A manufacturer of protective equipment used in the nuclear industry is up and running in Paisley, and is ready to expand as demand warrants.

Abraflex, a subsidiary of ABS Group of Companies, purchased the former Bruce Packers building, a 12,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, on 44 acres at the edge of Paisley.

The company makes Mark IIIB plastic suits used for personnel safety for work done during outages in all units in both Bruce A and Bruce B.

Abraflex will also provide all major brands of joint sheeting and mechanical packings used to make gaskets or cut-to-size and shape products. The company also specializes in hard-to-find or obsolete products and parts.

Company president and CEO John Bradley said Paisley is an ideal location, given the availability of labour, affordable housing and proximity to the Bruce Power site.

Arran-Elderslie mayor Paul Eagleson said he is pleased the building, vacant since a fire at the facility 14 years ago, will be used again.

"It's an industrial site with residential all around it. I don't believe you're going to get odours or noise or anything disruptive to the neighbourhood. It's a perfect fit, he said.

Abraflex has 21 full-time employees and 12 additional workers trained and available for part-time work. The company said it will be able to grow as demand increases, and has room for 200 employees at the new facility.

The part-time resources and availability of labour in the community will enable the company to increase production quickly as customer requirements increase and additional contracts are secured, Bradley said during a ribbon cutting ceremony Nov. 29.

Bruce Power spokesperson Tim Horridin praised Abraflex for setting up operations in Paisley.

"The company has taken the initiative, invested locally spending time and money making sure you support our operations. Thank you for your ingenuity and commitment," he said.

Wes Tanner, team lead for the day shift at the plant, said he's delighted with the work. He's been there since the plant opened in March, 2016.

"I love it, best job I've ever had," he said.

There are 20 Bruce Power suppliers now in Bruce County, said Stellina Williams, business investment specialist with Bruce County.

"Abraflex is the first new supplier to establish a local presence," she said. Engineering, construction and recruiting firms are among the others. "We continue to work with several suppliers in helping expand their presence to the area. We expect this growth to continue."